Every #1 Country Single of the Eighties: Hank Williams Jr., “I’m For Love”

“I’m For Love”

Hank Williams Jr.

Written by Hank Williams Jr. 

Radio & Records

#1 (1 week)

July 12, 1985

Billboard

#1 (1 week)

August 10, 1985

Can’t we all just get along, so Hank and his lady can get it on?

That pretty much sums up “I’m For Love,” a clever and endearing single from Hank Williams Jr., written by the Hall of Famer himself.  The verses run through a series of folks who are against each other for some reason or another.  The song peaks with its opening lines – “Mothers against drunk drivers, the Pope’s against the pill.  The union’s against the workers working against their will” – but it’s entertaining throughout, thanks to a cheeky performance from Hank Jr. and a typically tasteful production from Jimmy Bowen.

The big reveal comes with the chorus.  See, Hank doesn’t want to talk.  He wants to get down. So he’s taking no sides in any of the conflicts:

I’m for love and I’m for happiness

And I’m for “If you don’t like it, can’t you just let it rest?”

And I’m for turning off the music; turning down the lights

‘Cause I’m for nothing else but you and me tonight

This bears no resemblance to the very political Hank Jr. of today, of course, which makes me wonder if the legend is one little blue pill away from peace, love, and understanding.

“I’m For Love” gets a B+.

Every No. 1 Single of the Eighties

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1 Comment

  1. Hank Jr. Had such a great run of amazing music in the ’80s. It is easy to forget just how big a star he was pulling rock, blues, and country influences together in a sound that was largely his own at the time.

    I have always loved the fun energy and playfulness of this song. It’s a breezy blast.

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